Demigod Marked by John Forrester

Author:John Forrester [Forrester, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, fantasy
Published: 2019-05-19T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The cluster of black-clad priests flinched in surprise as Jeno strode up to them. The demigod cast menacing eyes at the group and cleared his throat to speak.

“Is the high priest ready for the sacrifice?”

“He is—”

The priest known as Cranan raised a fist to stop the fat-lipped priest from speaking. The rest of the priests cowed to the elder priest’s superiority.

“How do we know you are the human our god spoke of?”

Jeno scoffed in amusement. “Who else could get past those twin demons guarding the entrance? They allowed me to enter. Enough of the small talk. We have a ritual to perform. I’ve just returned from the Realm of Shadows.” He showed the priests the mark of the crow on his neck, and they gasped in surprise.

“Did our lord summon you to his realm?” Cranan narrowed his eyes, his voice incredulous.

“No, I entered the Realm of Shadows on my own accord. I had important business to discuss with him.”

Cranan gawked at Jeno, his eyes dubious. “How does one go about entering the Realm of Shadows on their own accord? It’s impossible unless you’ve been summoned or you’re dead!”

“It’s not impossible, I assure you.” Jeno fixed an icy stare on the high elf. Cranan’s angry sneer was interrupted by the arrival of other priests striding toward their group. Their curious eyes were fixed on the newcomer.

“Who do we have here, Cranan?” An aged elf with long, silver hair and conniving eyes examined Jeno with cold calculation. “Is this the boy our lord spoke of? He is most certainly human.”

Jeno retrieved the jeweled dagger Nirat had given him and displayed it to the priests. “The great and powerful God Nirat gifted me with this dagger upon my visit to the Realm of Shadows.”

A murmur of surprise and shock rippled through the assembled priests. “He has commanded me to use this dagger to cut out the high priest’s heart, and kill him.”

“What? But that is an outrage?” Cranan hissed. “He was to be sacrificed not gutted like a pig.”

“It seems that the high priest has done something to severely displease our god.” Jeno cast a pointed stare at the overweight priest who had told Cranan and the others what he had overheard. The high elf shrank from the demigod’s stare, his eyes filled with terror. “If you doubt me, why don’t you summon Nirat? I’m in no hurry.”

“No, no, that won’t be necessary.” The old, silver-haired priest waved away the suggestion. “We would not wish to bother our lord god with such petty affairs. Besides, the mere fact that Nirat has called for the high priest’s death means he has lost favor with our god. The method of his execution is of no concern to such humble priests as ourselves. Come along, now. We will show you to the sacrificial altar.”

Priest Cranan was about to issue a retort when the elderly priest shook his head in irritation. The younger priest relented and joined the shuffle of priests as they strolled deeper into the dark and foreboding temple lit by pale, silver lights.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.